Ethics - General Discussion

In this section we discuss Epicurean Ethics and how to live as an Epicurean in a world where there are no supernatural gods and no life after death.

Regularly Checking In On A Small Screen Device? Bookmark THIS page!

Featured Videos | Latest Lucretius Today Podcast: #285 - "The Significance Of The Limits Of Pain"" | Member Announcements | The Epicurean Paradigm Shift (Things To Know When Reading Epicurus For The First Time)

Welcome to the EpicureanFriends Forums page. Please be sure that all posts conform to our policies for posting as linked at our Terms of Use page. Scroll down to navigate through the full forum. Or you can: Search by forum Tag -or- Search by Forum Shortcuts Page -or- check out our List of Featured Threads -or- from any sub-forum you can return to the main Forum Board List. 

List Of Frequently Used Forums
  1. General Information And Discussion - Start Here
  2. Private Section - Includes Level 03 And Above Discussions and 20th Zoom Meeting
  3. The Lucretius Today Podcast and other Projects
  4. EpicureanFriends Zoom Meetings, Outreach, and Activism
  5. Physics - The Nature of the Universe
  6. Canonics - The Tests of Truth: The Five Senses, Anticipations, and Feelings of Pleasure and Pain
  7. Ethics - How to Live As An Epicurean
  8. Epicurean Historical Figures - Biographies of Epicureans from Epicurus To The Present
  9. Ancient Epicurean Texts (300 BC to 300 AD)
  10. Epicurean Books, Articles, and Videos (1500's - Present)
  11. Comparisons With Non-Epicurean Philosophies
  12. History, Locations, and Customs Relevant to Ancient Epicureans
  13. Epicurean Symbolism in Art, Music, Literature, and Poetry

    2. Ruminations on leading with “Pleasure and Pain as the Guide” v “The Goal is Pleasure” 4

      • Godfrey
      • June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      2.2k
      4

    4. Cassius

      June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    2. Pleasure vs pain - example and thoughts! 10

      • ThinkingCat
      • May 21, 2023 at 9:08 PM
    3. Replies
      10
      Views
      3.4k
      10

    4. Don

      May 21, 2023 at 9:08 PM

    2. Social feelings/actions to not-friends(or strangers, animals) (Philantropy /compassion /sympathy / kindness / charity /) 4

      • Matteng
      • May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      1.8k
      4

    4. Joshua

      May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM

    2. "Living Life Full Measure" as an Epicurean Metaphor 3

      • Cassius
      • May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      1.1k
      3

    4. Pacatus

      May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM

    2. How has the word epicurean come to mean excess? 22

      • ThinkingCat
      • May 19, 2023 at 6:50 PM
    3. Replies
      22
      Views
      7.3k
      22

    4. Cassius

      May 19, 2023 at 6:50 PM

    2. Epicurus And Pleasure As The Awareness Of Smooth Motion 13

      • Cassius
      • February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM
    3. Replies
      13
      Views
      3.2k
      13

    4. Cassius

      February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM

    2. Imagery On The Interplay Between "Pursue Pleasure" and 'Avoid Pain" 33

      • Cassius
      • March 28, 2023 at 9:09 AM
      • Cassius
      • March 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM
    3. Replies
      33
      Views
      8.1k
      33

    4. Don

      March 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM

    2. We Need A Game Show With A Lightning Round Question: "Happiness or Pleasure? - Why?" 28

      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2023 at 8:16 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 5, 2023 at 3:43 PM
    3. Replies
      28
      Views
      7.2k
      28

    4. Little Rocker

      February 5, 2023 at 3:43 PM

    2. Perspectives On "Proving" That Pleasure is "The Good" 205

      • Todd
      • December 19, 2022 at 4:34 PM
      • Todd
      • November 28, 2023 at 1:28 PM
    3. Replies
      205
      Views
      39k
      205

    4. Eoghan Gardiner

      November 28, 2023 at 1:28 PM

    2. Is pleasure as the natural goal of life falsifiable? 30

      • waterholic
      • December 8, 2022 at 6:08 AM
      • waterholic
      • February 10, 2023 at 11:02 PM
    3. Replies
      30
      Views
      9.4k
      30

    4. Don

      February 10, 2023 at 11:02 PM

    2. “How Epicurean Science Saves Humanity” 3

      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:13 PM
      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      1.7k
      3

    4. Cassius

      September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM

    2. Epicureans On Kingship 15

      • Cassius
      • August 2, 2022 at 10:16 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM
    3. Replies
      15
      Views
      4.8k
      15

    4. Sid

      October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM

    2. Pleasure, Desire and Limits 36

      • Godfrey
      • July 20, 2022 at 8:34 PM
    3. Replies
      36
      Views
      12k
      36

    4. Godfrey

      July 20, 2022 at 8:34 PM

    2. Sedley paper on Plato with interesting Epicurean implications 2

      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 7:32 AM
      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      1.7k
      2

    4. Don

      April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM

    2. Identifying And Dealing With Significant Error / Mistakes in Ourselves (and Others)

      • Cassius
      • April 21, 2022 at 9:38 AM
      • Cassius
      • April 21, 2022 at 9:38 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      776

    2. As to the Term "Hedonic Calculus" or the "Calculus of Advantage" 22

      • Cassius
      • February 27, 2022 at 7:26 AM
      • Cassius
      • March 1, 2022 at 12:03 PM
    3. Replies
      22
      Views
      6.7k
      22

    4. Godfrey

      March 1, 2022 at 12:03 PM

    2. Things that happen after we die 7

      • SimonC
      • February 4, 2022 at 6:29 AM
      • SimonC
      • February 4, 2022 at 9:54 AM
    3. Replies
      7
      Views
      3.2k
      7

    4. Don

      February 4, 2022 at 9:54 AM

    2. To What Extent Is This Consistent With Epicurean Ethics: "Life is Short - Life Passionately"

      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      853

    2. Regarding categories | Will to Power: a natural or un-natural desire? 7

      • shahabgh66
      • August 7, 2021 at 10:04 AM
    3. Replies
      7
      Views
      3.3k
      7

    4. Cassius

      August 7, 2021 at 10:04 AM

    2. Would There Be Benefit In Adapting the "Benjamin Franklin Journaling Model" To Our Discussion of Practical Exercises? 16

      • Cassius
      • July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM
    3. Replies
      16
      Views
      6.5k
      16

    4. A_Gardner

      July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM

    2. New Book by Erler (Würzburg Center): "Epicurus: An Introduction to His Practical Ethics and Politics" 2

      • Titus
      • June 24, 2021 at 3:39 PM
      • Titus
      • June 24, 2021 at 5:33 PM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      4.4k
      2

    4. Don

      June 24, 2021 at 5:33 PM

    2. Epicurus On Money, And A Connection With Limits Referenced By A Modern Philosopher 2

      • Cassius
      • June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      1.9k
      2

    4. Cassius

      June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM

    2. Inferential Foundations of Epicurean Ethics by David Sedley 1

      • Godfrey
      • June 3, 2021 at 4:47 PM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      1.3k
      1

    4. Cassius

      June 3, 2021 at 4:47 PM

    2. Wanting vs Liking

      • Elayne
      • January 24, 2021 at 9:05 AM
      • Elayne
      • January 24, 2021 at 9:05 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      746

    2. From Elli: ""And the pleasure which we daily feel in all these things helps us to banish any sorrow." - Pericles the Athenian.

      • Cassius
      • January 6, 2021 at 10:27 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 6, 2021 at 10:27 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      915

    2. Natural versus Unnatural 12

      • Matt
      • December 30, 2020 at 8:54 AM
      • Matt
      • January 10, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    3. Replies
      12
      Views
      5.3k
      12

    4. Cassius

      January 10, 2021 at 12:33 PM

    2. On "Desires" And Their Relationship To Pleasure 30

      • Godfrey
      • September 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM
      • Godfrey
      • September 12, 2020 at 7:44 PM
    3. Replies
      30
      Views
      11k
      30

    4. Cassius

      September 12, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    2. Empathy vs pleasure 1

      • azbcethananderson
      • May 24, 2020 at 2:27 PM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      1.6k
      1

    4. Don

      May 24, 2020 at 2:27 PM

    2. Are You Epicurean Or Hieronymian? 26

      • Cassius
      • October 1, 2019 at 2:08 PM
      • Cassius
      • June 30, 2022 at 5:44 AM
    3. Replies
      26
      Views
      14k
      26

    4. Cassius

      June 30, 2022 at 5:44 AM

    2. On The Relationship of Eudaemonia And Pleasure

      • Cassius
      • July 10, 2019 at 7:02 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      1.1k

Display Options

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply

    2. Does The Wise Man Groan and Cry Out When On The Rack / Under Torture / In Extreme Pain? 17

      • Cassius
      • June 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
    3. Replies
      17
      Views
      1k
      17

    4. Don

      June 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM

    2. New Translation of Epicurus' Works 1

      • Eikadistes
      • June 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      227
      1

    4. Cassius

      June 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM

    2. Superstition and Friday the 13th 6

      • Kalosyni
      • June 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
    3. Replies
      6
      Views
      350
      6

    4. Eikadistes

      June 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM

    2. Epicurean Emporium 9

      • Eikadistes
      • June 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
    3. Replies
      9
      Views
      1.7k
      9

    4. Eikadistes

      June 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM

    2. The Religion of Nature - as supported by Lucretius' De Rerum Natura 2

      • Kalosyni
      • June 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      299
      2

    4. Kalosyni

      June 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM